THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED
Honoring Courageous Bay of Pigs Veterans
In the spring of 1960, the American government decided that the Fidel Castro government of Cuba presented a dangerous threat to democracy, the U.S. and other countries in the western hemisphere. As a result, the CIA, with approval from President Eisenhower, initiated a covert program to overthrow Fidel Castro and his regime.
On April 17, 1961, over 1,400 Cuban patriots, the spearhead ground forces of Assault Brigade 2506 (La Brigada), boarded the landing craft that would take them to the beaches of the Bay of Pigs, Cuba. High on morale and certain of victory, La Brigada did not know it then, but its battle had already been lost in Washington, weeks before, because President Kennedy and the United States’ government decided to drastically limit the brigade’s Air Force attacks prior to the invasion. Because of the President’s orders to limit the number of Air Force attacks on Castro’s air bases and the failure to eliminate Castro’s air power, an essential part of the plan, the promised air supremacy over the beachhead never materialized, making victory for La Brigada impossible and its defeat inevitable.
As prisoners of war, members of La Brigada were treated very harshly. The Castro Government did not treat them as prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Convention, but rather attempted to punish them, in many instances, as brutally as possible. After 20 months in prison, President Kennedy approved the exchange of brigade prisoners for $53 million in food and medical supplies. The prisoners from La Brigada are proud that none of their captured soldiers ever “turned-coat” or cooperated with the enemy, and that they did not waver in their resolve.
To honor and commemorate these brave and courageous men who spearheaded the Bay of Pigs assault to free Cuba from Fidel Castro’s dictatorship, America Remembers is proud to announce the Bay of Pigs Colt .45 Pistol, issued by America Remembers on a Colt® Government Model® .45 pistol. This handsome pistol is issued exclusively through America Remembers and is endorsed by the Association of the Bay of Pigs Veterans from Brigade 2506. Craftsmen commissioned specifically for this special issue firearm by America Remembers decorate each Bay of Pigs .45 Pistol in gleaming 24-karat gold artwork with blackened patinaed highlights against the polished overall nickel decorated slide.
Only 300 Available
The Bay of Pigs .45 Pistol is available only from America Remembers and is being issued in a strictly limited edition. Only 300 of these special issue pistols will ever be produced. Your pistol will be individually numbered, confirming your place in an elite rank of collectors, and a matching numbered Certificate of Authenticity will accompany it. We will arrange shipment of your working Colt .45 pistol to the licensed firearms dealer of your choice. Your commemorative pistol also comes with our 30-day guarantee of satisfaction. If you are not fully satisfied with your pistol after your personal inspection, you may return it to us in original, unfired condition within thirty days for a complete and courteous refund.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a daring attempt by a group of dedicated and courageous Cubans to free their countrymen from the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. The soldiers who landed in Cuba fought valiantly until they ran out of ammunition. There was nothing left to fight with, and the promised control of the air never happened. For the members of La Brigada, however, the Bay of Pigs is also a remarkable triumph because of their courage, honor, and bravery. The heroism of La Brigada will never be forgotten.
The left side of the slide features a brigade B-26 flying over the beachhead and an LCI in the waters of the Bay of Pigs. The left side reads Brigada De Asalto 2506 and Giron 17 de Abril 1961— Assault Brigade 2506, and the landing date of the Bay of Pigs invasion at the Giron beach. The muzzle end of the slide features a parachute to represent the brigade’s paratroopers that landed during the invasion and the brigade’s infiltration teams that preceded the invasion by several weeks.
The right side of the slide features the words Jamas Abandonaremos Nuestra Patria, which means We Will Never Abandon our Motherland, along with three Cuban infantrymen who have just landed on the beach. Both sides of the slide feature the emblem of the Brigade at the breech of the slide. The emblem is based on the shoulder patch worn by the infantry of Assault Brigade 2506 on April 17, 1961.
Each Bay of Pigs .45 Pistol also features hand-painted white faux-ivory grips. The right side features the emblem of the Brigade. The left side of the grip features a Cuban flag and Hermanos Por La Patria, which means Brothers for the Motherland.
Display Case Available
An optional custom-built, wooden display case is available for purchase.
